by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
Sunday night delivered a whirlwind of emotions for Ibrahima Sonko — and not all of them ended well. Now serving as a talent manager at Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven (OHL), the former Senegal international found himself torn between club duty and national pride.
While OHL were battling Sint-Truiden in the Belgian top flight, Senegal were locked in a dramatic AFCON 2025 final. The outcomes couldn’t have been more contrasting. OHL slipped to defeat around 9 p.m., leaving the club stuck near the foot of the table and staring relegation danger in the face. At the same time, chaos unfolded in the AFCON final as Senegal survived a late penalty scare — Brahim Díaz missing from the spot — before the Lions of Teranga sealed continental glory in extra time.
Despite his club’s disappointment, Sonko could not suppress his joy over Senegal’s triumph. On the team bus, with spirits low following the defeat, the 45-year-old former Premier League defender reportedly sang and danced in celebration, swept away by the historic moment.
According to Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad, the celebrations did not sit well with several OHL players, who expressed their displeasure internally. The club reacted swiftly. Sonko was stripped of his role with the senior squad and reassigned to the under-23 team.
Previously tasked with mentoring young talents transitioning into the first team, Sonko will now work exclusively with the hopefuls, losing direct access to the professional group. It marks a significant setback for the former Senegal international, who only began his coaching journey in 2024.
A night of national joy, it seems, came at a heavy professional price.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 22, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has released an emotional statement expressing deep regret over the controversial scenes that unfolded during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The Teranga Lions defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time to claim their second AFCON title, but the historic victory was overshadowed by heated moments late in the match. Tensions rose after Senegal had a goal disallowed, followed shortly by a penalty being awarded to Morocco, prompting strong protests from the Senegalese bench.
In the heat of the moment, Thiaw instructed his players to step away from the pitch in protest. However, senior winger Sadio Mané played a crucial role in persuading the team to return and complete the match. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz subsequently saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before Pape Gueye struck the decisive extra-time winner.
Thiaw now faces the possibility of disciplinary action from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for his role in the near walkout. Addressing the situation in a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, the Senegal coach insisted that his actions were never meant to undermine the spirit of the game.
“We had an outstanding tournament with great organization, which unfortunately ended in a dramatic way. It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game I love so much. I was simply trying to protect my players from what I felt was injustice,” Thiaw wrote.
He added that what may be viewed by some as a breach of regulations was driven purely by emotion, stressing that calm eventually prevailed.
“After consultation, we decided to resume the match and go on to win this trophy for you. I sincerely apologize if my actions offended anyone,” he concluded.
CAF is yet to make a final decision on any potential sanctions as the fallout from the dramatic final continues to generate debate across the football world.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 22, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren has travelled to Malta as part of ongoing preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the focus on scouting Ghanaian players plying their trade in Europe.
The visit forms part of the technical team’s wider strategy to expand the talent pool by identifying and assessing eligible Ghanaian players based abroad who could strengthen the squad ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
During his scouting mission, Bjorkegren met and evaluated four players: Kassim Mariama and Naila Adoma Addo, both former players of Fosu Royal Ladies; ex-Black Princesses striker Salamatu Nte Abdulai; and Selina Animah, who previously featured for Berry Ladies.
The Black Queens coach is also expected to observe Salamatu Nte Abdulai in competitive action for Swieqi United, alongside Selina Animah, who currently plays for Birkirkara Women. These live match assessments will allow the technical team to closely evaluate the players’ match fitness, tactical awareness, and overall suitability for the national team’s playing philosophy.
The Malta trip highlights the Ghana Football Association’s commitment to strengthening the Black Queens by tapping into Ghanaian talent across Europe.
With the WAFCON drawing closer, the technical team is focused on assembling a well-balanced squad that blends domestic experience with international exposure. Further updates on the Black Queens’ preparations are expected from the GFA in the coming days.
Ghana have been drawn in Group D of the tournament, where they will face Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde at the WAFCON finals in Morocco.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 22, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has expressed strong belief that the Black Stars are targeting a return to the heights of their iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final achievement at the upcoming tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana have been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and head into the competition determined to bounce back from their group-stage exit at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Speaking in an interview on Akoma FM, Asante Twum outlined the team’s ambitions, stressing that qualification from the group stage is the immediate objective, with hopes of progressing even further.
“Our target is to qualify from the group stage and be competitive. We want to fight, we have the quality, and we believe we can match our quarter-final appearance and possibly go even further,” he said.
His optimism reflects a renewed sense of purpose within the national team setup, following Ghana’s return to the World Cup in 2022 after missing the 2018 edition.
Asante Twum also revealed that the GFA has strengthened the technical team since the Qatar tournament and is currently working to add new players to the squad at the request of head coach Otto Addo.
While specific names remain undisclosed due to contractual obligations, he assured fans that discussions are progressing positively.
“The coach has requested some new additions, and the FA is currently working on them. However, the individuals are under contract, making it difficult to disclose at this time,” he explained.
Preparations off the pitch are equally on track. According to the GFA, the Black Stars’ camping base and logistical plans will be announced in the first week of February, followed by the release of a provisional squad in April and the final 26-man squad by June 1.
Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England in Boston and rounding off their group-stage matches against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 22, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has finalized arrangements with the Austrian Football Association for an international friendly between Ghana and Austria.
The GFA confirmed on Thursday that Austria, popularly known as Unsere Burschen, will host the Black Stars at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on Friday, March 27. The encounter forms part of preparations for both teams ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The friendly comes just three days before Ghana, the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists, face four-time world champions Germany in Stuttgart, making it a key test for the Black Stars.
Both nations will use the match to assess their readiness for the group stage of the World Cup. Ghana are scheduled to open their campaign against Panama before taking on European heavyweights England and Croatia, while Austria will begin their tournament against reigning champions Argentina, followed by fixtures against Jordan and Algeria.
Kick-off for the friendly is set for 17:00 GMT.
